A CITY IN MOURNING

Boston residents are mourning the deaths of two firefighters who were killed when a fire driven by strong winds whipped through a brownstone and trapped them in the basement.

Tributes began pouring in Wednesday for Lt. Edward J. Walsh, a 43-year-old father of three who had almost a decade of experience, and firefighter Michael R. Kennedy, a 33-year-old Marine Corps combat veteran who had been a firefighter for more than six years.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh says it was ``a sad day'' for the city. He told reporters Wednesday night that he was proud of all of the men and women of the police and fire department that responded.

Thirteen other firefighters were injured in the 9-alarm blaze in the city's Back Bay district, and several police officers also were taken to hospitals.

Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Finn says he's never seen a fire ``travel that fast'' and ``escalate that quickly.''